A Withdrawal, a Broken Deal, and a Senate Nominee

OLYMPIA, Jan. 31.—John L. Wilson was nominated for United States senator on the fifth ballot in the Republican caucus tonight. When the caucus roll was called, eighty members answered, the only absentee being Loggie of King.

Before a ballot was taken, Senator R. C. Wilson of Chehalis, amid great excitement, was recognized by the chair and said: “I have here a letter written by a true Republican to the Republican party—a letter written in the interest of Republicanism to this state.” The hall was densely packed, but the crowd was instantly silenced as Harry Carroll read Levi Ankeny’s withdrawal:

“To the Republican Members of the Legislature of the State of Washington: Deeply appreciating the loyalty and constancy of the friends who have supported me for the high office of United States senator, and tendering them my heartfelt thanks for this mark of confidence, yet feeling that in the interests of the state and of the party the contest over that election should not be further prolonged, I hereby withdraw my name from your consideration as a candidate for that office. — LEVI ANKENY.”

After a momentary silence Moses Bull of Whitman asked consent to place another man before the caucus. He expressed regret at Mr. Ankeny’s withdrawal and asked support for Judge Ralph O. Dunbar. Albertson of King seconded, and Eddy of Snohomish followed, declaring that he should vote for John L. Wilson. The roll was then called, and on the decisive ballot the vote stood: Wilson, 44; Dunbar, 27; McMillan, 6; Brents, 3.

All day negotiations had gone on for the presentation of a new candidate. The anti-Wilson and anti-Ankeny men had pledged that if Mr. Ankeny would withdraw they would vote for any good man, East or West. Judge Dunbar was at last agreed upon, and Mr. Ankeny wrote his letter of withdrawal. The compact was not kept. As Conner, Dorr, Goddard, Hoffey, Haller, Lewis and Murray left McMillan and Allen to vote for Wilson, the Ankeny men felt they had been betrayed. The Wilson men shouted as each new vote gave proof of recalc?—but the cheers were mixed with murmurs of surprise. It was then realized that Wilson, with his regular support, would have 40 votes, and Sergeant of Pierce and F. W. Taylor of Pierce fell into line with their delegation and voted for Wilson. At the close of the ballot he had three more than enough to nominate.

A committee was appointed to bring Mr. Wilson to the hall. He arrived and was greeted with cheers. In his speech he said: “I am not insensible of the great honor you have conferred upon me, and, as far as I am concerned, the battle that has been waged has been fought and won along lines honorable to the state, to the Republican party and to myself. Speaking for only a few moments—because this great contest has taxed my strength—I cannot refrain from thanking you from the bottom of my heart, and especially the delegation from Washington, which has so loyally and manfully stood by me. Whatever has occurred, whatever differences of opinion we may have had in caucus, they are all my personal friends, and I am here to thank them for their uniform courtesy and kindness. I stand upon the platform adopted by the Republican state convention. I am not, nor have I been, opposed to the Nicaragua Canal, but in my feeble way I could have contributed to getting a favorable report from the committee having the matter in charge. There has been much recrimination, much vituperation and assault. Let it pass into oblivion, where it belongs. I have nothing to do now but to work, as best I can, for all the people of the state, without regard to section or country, contributing to that which will bring the people of this state I love so well peace, plenty and prosperity.”

Mr. Wilson then received the congratulations of the immense gathering and another ovation on his return to the hall. Levi Ankeny later visited Mr. Wilson at the latter’s headquarters and congratulated him on his elevation, and compliments were exchanged upon the honorable course each had pursued in his canvass. The large gathering gave hearty cheers for Mr. Ankeny, repeating a compliment which had been bestowed upon him before the caucus.